Late chances not enough for Raiders against Porter Ridge

ROCKINGHAM — A late surge by the Richmond Raider soccer team during Thursday’s home match fizzled in the waning minutes.

Richmond hosted Porter Ridge High School in a non-conference meeting that ended in a 3-1 defeat.

Facing another tough opponent in the early stages of the new season, the Raiders had a chance to tie the match 2-2 in the 75th minute and try to swing the momentum.

Senior forward Noah Gil made a rush into the box and was fouled from behind. Awarded a penalty kick, Gil’s shot beat the goalkeeper’s move but deflected off the bottom of the left post.

“It was a good, close game tonight and I was pleased that we played better in the second half,” head coach Chris Larsen shared. “We had a chance to tie it up, but unfortunately we hit the post. I know Noah is disappointed that he missed a PK, but it happens. I’ve still got confidence in him.

“I was glad to see Patrick (Smith) get his first varsity goal,” he continued. “He was our top junior varsity guy last year and pulling him up this year gives us another goal scorer. Gonzalo (Gonzalez) had a nice free kick to give (Smith) a chance to score.”

Porter Ridge took a 1-0 advantage in the 15th minute, a score that would hold until halftime. Senior starting goalkeeper Adrian Padron did not play Thursday (injury), as junior Camden Williams played in the net instead.

A goal by Ryan Ladimir, his second of the match, extended Porter Ridge’s lead to 2-0 in the 42nd minute.

Richmond’s goal in the 62nd minute was started by senior midfielder Landon Summerlin, who was tackled on a run down the left side of the field.

Gonzalez took the free kick from roughly 35 yards out and sent the ball on a strike into the box. Smith, who was making a diagonal run toward the near post, collected the deflection from within six yards and slid the ball into the net.

Playing the Pirates (4-1) closer for the remainder of the game, a hiccup just over a minute after the missed PK opportunity resulted in a goal by Carson Page for the Pirates.

“Like I keep preaching to the guys, we’re close,” Larsen said. “If we can eliminate some silly mistakes, we’ll come out on the right side of one of these close games. And when we do, we’ll have that confidence moving forward.

“We’re hoping to start peaking as we get ready to start conference play,” he closed.

The Raiders (1-2) have one more match this week. Traveling to Middle Creek Park, Richmond will face Rolesville High School (5-0) in a non-conference match as part of the North Carolina Coaches Association’s Kickoff Classic.

Saturday’s match will begin at 11 a.m.

JV Raiders defeated by same score

In its home match against Porter Ridge Thursday, the Richmond junior varsity soccer team let an early lead come undone.

Leading 1-0 just before the half, the JV Raiders lost by a final score of 3-1.

Putting Richmond ahead in the seventh minute was sophomore Callin Moore, who was assisted by freshman Kerick Hairston. It was Moore’s first tally of the season.

Porter Ridge tied it 1-1 with 12 seconds remaining in the first half before adding two goals in the final 35 minutes.

“We had the lead early but let one in right before the half,” head coach Bennie Howard said. “Then an error in the back and a player ejection, which made us play a man down, allowed the other two goals.

“We will regroup at practice tomorrow and get ready for our next game,” he closed.

The JV Raiders (1-2-1) have off until Monday when they’ll travel to non-conference St. Pauls High School. Action is slated for a 5 p.m. start.

Sports editor’s note: Chris Larsen, Bennie Howard and Andy Summerlin contributed to this article.